Troubleshooting

DanPf

I have the Parallax Propeller model and I am using a 7.5 volt power supply. I recently built a small circuit that was connected to an IR LED. It was working fine last night, but now when I load up the board it doesn't boot up, it only shows the green power light. My computer is unable to recognize the board anymore, but it was fine a couple of hours ago. I tried hitting the reset button but it doesn't do anything. I'm new to using uControllers, and I'm hoping that I didn't fry the board. Any suggestions?

Mike Green

It's possible, but unlikely that you've fried your Propeller board. Without more information, it's impossible to say or to make much more than very general suggestions.

What board do you have? How do you have it hooked up?

If you're using a battery for your power source, you may need a new one. The LED may light even through the voltage is too low to power the Propeller. There may be something wrong with your serial/USB connection although, if it worked once, it should continue to work.

DanPf

The chip on the board is a P8x32A-Q44. I am using a power supply that plugs in, so there are no batteries. My computer isn't recognizing it. Maybe I should reinstall the drivers.

Mike Green

Like I said, you'd have to give more information to get any specific suggestions.

The Propeller has to be operating for it to be recognized by the Propeller Tool or BST or any of the other development tools. It doesn't need a crystal for this to work or an EEPROM, but it needs adequate power. The serial port needs to work including the DTR control line.

DanPf

I am using the same power supply that I used last night. I took apart the circuit and now I am just looking at the 'naked' demo board. My power supply outputs 7.5 Volts DC at 1000 mA. I have the power supply connected just the same as it was lsat night. I have the USB plugged into my laptop. When I open up the Propeller tool and try to have it recognize the demo board, it gives me an error message "No propeller chip found on any serial port. Scanned Port 3." Thanks for any help that you can offer.

Post Edited (DanPf) : 5/8/2010 4:51:38 PM GMT

Mike Green

Ah, so you're using a Propeller Demo Board. That eliminates a lot of possible problems.

Try reinstalling the USB driver and the Propeller Tool (without the Board connected). If you have another USB cable, try that. If none of that works, I suggest calling Parallax Tech Support on Monday. This may be too difficult to handle via a forum. If they can't help you to get it working, they can replace the Board.

DanPf

Thanks!!!1